POLICE have been called in by volunteers at a community-run leisure centre after online comments compared their dealings with an athletics club to the mistreatment of Jews during the Holocaust.

A row between Crook Community Leisure (CCL) and Crook and District Athletics Club took a new twist this week.

The Northern Echo: VISION: Crook Community Leisure trustees ahead of the opening of Peases West Leisure Centre. From left, Ashley Puckering, Maureen Stanton, Jean Cowing JP, Linda Ayre MBE and John Winter Picture: PAUL NORRIS

VISION: Crook Community Leisure trustees ahead of the opening of Peases West Leisure Centre. From left, Ashley Puckering, Maureen Stanton, Jean Cowing JP, Linda Ayre MBE and John Winter Picture: PAUL NORRIS

CCL has been accused of making it impossible for coaches to train athletes on the track at Peases West, in Crook, County Durham, which has been home to the athletics club for 40 years. However, trustees at CCL, a charity awarded £500,000 by Durham County Council to build the new leisure centre in 2013, say the club has a “vendetta” against them.

Chairman John Winter said a line had been crossed when a comment was posted on Facebook comparing CCL’s decision to stop athletes using the infield to the Holocaust and the “mistreatment of Jews and lepers in old times".

“Our volunteers don’t deserve that,” he said. “We are trying to run a facility that benefits everyone, including the athletics club. We are trying to work with them but they seem determined to level this campaign against us.”

The comment, understood to have been made by a member of the athletics club, has been removed but a screen shot has been sent to Durham Police and has been seen by The Northern Echo. A force spokesperson has confirmed a complaint was made on August 7.

Tension has been building between the two groups for months, with rumours circulating that runners were not allowed inside the £650,000 building – a claim CCL has denied. The dispute is currently focused on the track infield, as coaches and athletes are no longer able to use the space because CCL is hiring it to football teams.

Athletes claim this poses health and safety risks, while experienced coach Keith Lonsdale said it will prevent him from doing his job.

In a letter shared on Facebook, Mr Lonsdale, who has since tendered his resignation from the club after 40 years, said: “Interactive coaches like myself need access to the infield, crossing from one point to another, motivating athletes and timing the sessions at hand.

“I have coached athletes all around the world and have never done so with other activities taking place in the infield.”

He said CCL had done nothing to help field athletics. The recent closure of the track for health and safety reasons has added to his frustration.

But Mr Winter said the safety concerns were raised by a member of the athletics club and CCL was legally bound to close the track until the matter was resolved.

He said the charity had to utilise the whole site to earn money to ensure the centre’s survival, adding: “The infield is not and never has been part of Crook Athletics Club’s licence. A goodwill gesture was made allowing the juniors to use the non-football pitch areas but this was abused and subsequently rescinded.”

The opening of Peases West last month was welcomed by many, as Crook had been without a sport centre since Glenholme Leisure Centre closed in 2011.

Graham Laverick, of Crook and District Athletics Club, said he hoped the issues could be resolved at a meeting between the two groups next month.

“The members have given a clear mandate of the facilities the club needs which is to use the infield and long jump areas. I realise the current lease and health and safety issues prevent these being used but we need to ascertain from CCL if there is a way forward."